Safety device for backstop assembly

ABSTRACT

A safety device for a folding basketball backstop which can be actuated in hoisting, lowering or storing of the backstop is disclosed. The safety apparatus includes a safety cable which cooperates with a switch actuated solenoid mechanism for substantially immediately preventing further movement of the backstop upon detection of failure of the main hoisting and lowering cable or the structures associated with the main hoisting and lowering cable.

United States Patent Young [54] SAFETY DEVICE FOR BACKSTOP ASSEMBLY [72] Inventor: James L. Young, Malvem, Pa.

[73] Assignee: Tubular Products, Inc., Souderton,

22 Filed: Jan. 21, 1970 21 App1.No.: 4,647

[58] Field of Search....273/l.5 .R; 248/320, 321, 322, 248/328, 329; 187/71, 81

[ 1 Nov. 28, 1972 1,270,716 6/1918 Flannery ..187/7l 398,728 2/1889 Hooper ....187/71 1,038,961 9/1912 Rivers 4187/81 Primary Examiner-Anton O. Oechsle Assistant Examiner-Paul E. Shapiro Attorney-Seidel, Gonda & Goldhammer ABSTRACT A safety device for a folding basketball backstop which can be actuated in hoisting, lowering or storing of the baclstop is disclosed. The safety apparatus includes a safety cable which cooperates with a switch actuated solenoid mechanism for substantially immediately preventing further movement of the backstop upon detection of failure of the main hoisting and lowering cable or the structures associated with the main hoisting and lowering cable.

7 Clains, 8 Drawing Figures [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS I 3,452,984 7/1969 Miller et a1 ..273/l.5 R

I I lLZl PATENTED HY 28 I 3.704.017 sum 2 0F 3 //v m ran JA MES L. YOU/V6.

ATTORNEYS.

SAFETY DEVICE FOR BACKSTOP ASSEMBLY The present invention relates to a safety device for backstop apparatus and more particularly to the safety apparatus for a basketball backstop assembly which will serve to substantially immediately prevent movement of the backstop upon failure of the main hoisting and lowering cable or structures associated with such main cable.

Basketball backstops which can be lowered into operative position and moved out of the way into an upper raised inoperative position are well known. The advantages of such movable backstops are numerous and, over the years, such backstops have met with increasing popularity for use in multiple use gymnasiums, field houses, and the like.

Conventionally, backstops are provided with bracing members for locking the backstops in their operative positions. Furthermore, after the backstop has been raised to its inoperative storage position, lock means have been provided for insuring against movement of the backstop and its supporting structure should a failure of the main cable or its supporting structure occur.

However, no satisfactory safety apparatus has been provided which is operative when the backstop is in its stored position and when the backstop is being raised towards its inoperative position or lowered into its operative position. v

It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for a backstop assembly which includes a safety device which overcomes the deficiencies of prior art safety devices.

It is'another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for a backstop assembly which includes a safety device which is operative while the backstop is stored in its inoperative position and while the backstop is being lowered from its inoperative position or raised to its inoperative position.

It is a furtherobject of the present invention to provide an apparatus for a backstop assembly which includes a safety device which may be readily adapted to existing backstop assemblies which are adapted to be stored in an inoperative position when not in use.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for a backstop assembly which includes a safety device which is simple in operation and yet highly effective in use.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

The above and other objects are accomplished by means of the present invention. A backstop assembly is provided which may be raised to an inoperative position or lowered into an operative position. The backstop assembly is particularly adapted for use in playing basketball. A conventional main cable is utilized for hoisting the backstop assembly into its inoperative position or lowering the same into its operative position. A conventional winch which may be manually or automatically operated is provided for effecting the desired movement of the backstop assembly.

The safety device includes a slack sensing switch which is adapted to be in constant contact with the main cable. The slack sensing switch will sense failure of the main cable or its supporting structure. The safety apparatus further includes a safety cable which is secured to the backstop assembly and extends through a safety lock mechanism.

The safety lock mechanism includes a locking roller its supporting structure fails. A solenoid is provided for dropping the locking roller into a position wherein it will wedge the safety cable into an immovable position between the locking roller and a further roller and also between the locking roller and the housing of the safety lock mechanism.

Since the slack sensing switch would be permitted to operate when the backstop assembly is in its fully operative position, a cut-off switch is provided for rendering the entire safety apparatus ineffective when the back stop assembly reaches its operative position. In operation, the cut-off switch would be rendered effective during the last several inches of movement of the backstop assembly which encompasses approximately the last five arcuate degrees of movement of the backstop.

For the purpose of illustrating the invention there is shown in the drawings a form which is presently preferred; it being understood, however, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a backstop apparatus having the safety device of the present invention associated therewith;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the slack sensing switch taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a section view taken along line 5-5 of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the safety lock mechanism of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 6; and

FIG. 8 is a section view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 7.

Referring now to the drawings in detail wherein like numerals indicate like structure throughout the several views there is shown in FIGS. 1-3 a backstop assembly generally indicated by the reference numeral 10.

The backstop assembly 10 includes a backboard 12 and may have a conventional goal and net 14 secured thereto. The goal and net 14 may be secured in any conventional manner to the backboard 12. A tubular drop member 16 is adapted to have the backboard 12 secured thereto by any desired conventional means. Tubular drop members 18 and 20 are connected to the tubular drop member 16. The members 18 and 20 may be secured to the member 16 by any desired means such as bolts, weldments, or the like. A pair of overhead horizontal tubular structural members 22 and 24 are provided for supporting the backstop assembly 10. A cross shaft 26 depends from the tubular members 22 and 24. The cross shaft may be secured to hinge clamps 28 and 30 which are in turn clamped about members 22 and 24 respectively. The upper most ends of the members 18 and 20 are secured to the cross shaft 26 and are adapted to pivot thereabout.

A guide brace member 25 may be provided for rendering additional support to the backstop assembly 1t) when the assembly is in its lower most operative position. One end of the guide brace member 25 may be slidably and pivotally secured to a support brace member 23. The support brace member 23 is used to lend additional support to the tubular drop member 16. The other end of the guide brace member 25 is pivotally attached to a cross shaft 27 which extends between the members 22 and 24.

The main cable 32 is provided for hoisting and lowering the backstop assembly between its inoperative and operative positions respectively. The cable 32 is secured by means of an anchor eye 34 to the member 16. The main cable extends through a ring 34 secured to a slack take-up spring 35. The slack take-up spring 35 may have its other end secured to the cross shaft 26. The main cable 32'is reeved about sheave 36. The sheave 36 may be secured through a plate 37 which extends between and is secured to the members 22 and 24. The main cable thereafter passes under and is in contact with a slack sensing switch 38 as will be set forth in greater detail hereinafter. The main cable 32 is reeved about a further sheave 40 and has its end secured to a winch mechanism 42. The winch mechanism 42 is conventional and need not he further discussed herein.

7 The slack sensing switch 38 is secured to the member 22 by a clamp 44. A bracket 50 which supports the various components of the switch 38 is secured to the clamp 44.

The switch 38 includes a roller 46 of wear-resistent material. The cable 32 is adapted to pass under and support the roller 46. The roller 46 is connected by a hinge 48 to the bracket 50. The main cable 32 maintains the roller 46 in a substantially horizontal position as viewed in FIG. 4. Should the main cable, for whatever reason, fail to be in contact and support the roller 46, the roller and the plate 52 which supports the roller will pivot about hinge 48 into a substantially vertical disposition. The roller 46 and the plate 52 will move automatically due to the effect of gravity.

The plate 52 is adapted to contact a lever 54. The lever 54 depresses the actuator of the switch member 57. Suitable electrical leads 58 are secured to the switch member 57. The switch is conventional and the operation of the switch is believed readily apparent from the above description. Should the main cable 32 snap or for any other reason move out of engagement with the roller 46, the actuator 56 of the switch member 57 will move the lever 54 to operate the switch. The switch will send a signal to the safety locking mechanism 64 as will appear hereafter.

A safety cable 60 is secured to the tubular drop member 16 by means of an anchor eye 62. The safety cable 60 is engaged by the slack take-up spring 35 and has its other end secured to a spring 66 which is also adapted to take up slack in the safety cable 60. The spring 66 may have its other end secured to the cross shaft 27.

The safety lock mechanism 64 includes a pair of cable guides 68 (FIGS. 7 and 8) guiding the cable 60 into a housing 70. The housing 70 is supported on a plate 37 which extends between the members 22 and 24.

A roller 72 is supported within the housing 70. Referring now to FiGS. 6-8, the cable 60 is trained around the roller 72 and extends around a locking roller 74. Both the locking roller 74 and the roller 72 may be freely rotating and may have wear resistent surfaces. The locking roller 74 is supported for rotation on a non-rotatable internal roller 76.

Pins 78 extend through the top plate 82 of the housing and are secured to the non-rotatable internal roller 76. The pins 78 are provided with washers 80 adjacent at their upper-most ends. v

A solenoid 84 is supported by the top plate 82 of the housing 70. The solenoid 84 includes a plunger 86 which is secured to a connecting link 88. The connecting link 88 is pivotally secured to a further link 90 which link 90 is pivotally'connected to a locking link 92.

The locking link 92 is adapted to be positioned beneath the washers 80 on the pins 78 to support the non-rotatable internal roller 76 and the locking roller 74 in an upper position. Referring now to FIG. 6, upon actuation of the solenoid 84, the plunger 86 will be withdrawn and the locking link 92 rotated in a counterclockwise direction about pivot center 94. The link 92 will be moved until the washers 80 are released and the non-rotatable internal roller 76 and the locking roller 74 fall due to the weight thereof and lock the safety cable 60 to prevent further movement thereof. The safety cable 60 will be locked against the bearing surfaces defined by the roller 74 and the roller 72. The cable 60 is also wedged between the outer surface of the roller 74 and the back wall 83 of the housing 70.

It has been found that as the backstop assembly 10 to swung into its lower-most operative position the main cable 32 tends to drop away from the roller'46 of the slack sensing switch 38. Accordingly, during the last several inches of movement of the backstop assembly, it is essential that the safety mechanism be rendered inoperative. To this end, there is provided a shut-off switch 98 (FIG. 1) which is supported by a bracket 100 on member 22 As member 18 moves to a substantially vertical disposition, it will contact the actuator 102 of the switch 98 to render the slack sensing switch 38 and the safety lock mechanism 64 inoperative.

In operation, the backstop assembly 10 will be stored, raised and lowered in a conventional manner. However, should the main cable 32 break or any of its supporting structure fail during raising or lowering of the backstop assembly or while the backstop assembly is stored in its upper-most position, the safety lock mechanism 64 will be rendered operative.

The slack sensing switch 38 will operate to actuate the solenoid 84. The solenoid 84 will cause the roller 74 to drop to thereby wedge the safety cable against both the roller 72 and the back wall 83 of the housing 70. Accordingly, as soon as a failure is detected, the backboard assembly will be locked in its then position substantially immediately. The roller 74 and the internal roller 76 have a substantial weight to insure effective locking of the safety cable 60. It is important to note that the safety mechanism is operative while the backstop assembly is being raised or lowered since it is most likely that failure will occur during movement of the backstop assembly.

A shut-off switch 98 is provided for rendering the safety mechanism ineffective during the last several inches or approximately 5 arcuate of movement of the backstop assembly.

After the safety mechanism has been operated, it may be manually reset after repairs have been made to the main cable 32 or its supporting structure. The pins 78 will be lifted so that the locking link 92 can be rotated clockwise to engage the under sides of the washers 80. The solenoid 84 will be rendered inoperative to permit the plunger 86 to be withdrawn and the safety mechanism reset.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof and, accordingly, reference should be made to the appended claims, rather than to the foregoing specification as indicating the scope of the invention.

1 claim:

1. Apparatus including a member to be raised and lowered between operative and inoperative positions, support means for supporting said member, said support means being movable with said member, fixed means for supporting both said support means and said member, a first cable having one end connected to said support means, means connected to the other end of said first cable for moving said member and support means between said inoperative and operative positions, slack sensing means supported by said fixed means, said main cable being interconnected to said slack sensing means while said member is in its inoperative position and while it is being moved between said operative and inoperative positions, a second cable having one end connected to said support means, means mounted on said fixed means for preventing movement of said second cable when said slack sensing means detects slack in said first cable so that said second cable prevents movement of said member, said movement preventing means comprising a housing, guide means for guiding said second cable into said housing, a first roller supported in said housing for contacting said second cable, a second roller around which said second cable is reeved, said second roller being concentric with and freely rotatable about a third roller having pins secured thereto, said pins extending through said housing and having washer members adjacent to the upper-most ends thereof, a solenoid mounted on said housing, said solenoid having the plunger thereof secured to a linkage for preventing movement of said stationary roller, said linkage engaging the under side of said washers to prevent downward movement of said pins, and said second and third rollers, actuation of said solenoid being operative to move said linkage so that said linkage will be out of contact with said washers to permit said pins and said second and third rollers to drop to thereby wedge said second cable between said first roller and said second roller to prevent further movement thereof.

2. A safety device for a movable backstop including a backstop to be raised and lowered between operative and inoperative positions, support means for supporting said backstop, said support means being movable with said backstop, fixed means for supporting both said support means and said backstop, a first cable having one end connected to said support means, means connected to the other end of said first cable for moving said backstop and support means between said inoperative and operative positions, slack sensing means supported by said fixed means, said first cable being interconnected to said slack sensing means while said backstop is in its inoperative position and while it is being moved between said operative and inoperative positions, a second cable having one end connected to said support means, means mounted on said fixed means for preventing movement of said second cable when said slack sensing means detects slack in said cable so that said secondcable prevents movement of said backstop, said movement preventing means comprising a housing, guide means for guiding said second cable into said housing, a first member supported by said housing for contacting said second cable, a second member supported by said housing spaced from said first member around which said second cable is reeved, said second member being concentric with and freely rotatable about a stationary third member, said third member having rods secured to the ends thereof, said rods extending through said housing and having enlarged members adjacent the upper-most ends thereof, a solenoid mounted on and supported by said housing, said solenoid having the plunger thereof secured to a linkage for preventing movement of said stationary member, said linkage engaging the under side of said enlarged members to prevent downward movement of said third member, actuation of said solenoid being operative to move said linkage so that said linkage will be-moved out of communication with said enlarged members to permit said second and third members to drop and wedge said second cable against said housing and said first member to prevent further movement of said second cable, support means and backstop supported by said support means.

3. A safety device for a movable backstop including a backstop to be raised and lowered between operative and inoperative positions, support means for supporting said backstop, said support means being movable with said backstop, fixed means for supporting both said support means and said backstop, a first cable having one end connected to said support means, means connected to the other end of said first cable for moving said backstop and support means between said inoperative and operative positions, slack sensing means supported by said fixed means, said first cable being interconnected to said slack sensing means while said backstop is in its inoperative position and while it is being moved between said operative and inoperative positions, a second cable having one end connected to said support means, said first and second cables being connected to a slack sensing takeup spring, means for preventing movement of said second cable when said slack sensing means detects slack in said first cable so that said second cable prevents movement of said member, shut-off means associated with said support means, said shut-off means being interconnected with and operative to render ineffective said movement preventing means, said shut-off means being effective as said backstop reaches its fully operative position, said movement preventing means comprising a housing, guide means for guiding said second cable into said housing, a first member supported by said housing for contacting said second cable, a second member supported by said housing spaced from said first member around which said second cable is reeved, said second member being concentric with and freely rotatable about a stationary third member, said third member having rods secured to the ends thereof, said rods extending through said housing and having enlarged members adjacent the upper-most ends thereof, a solenoid mounted on and supported by said housing, said solenoid having the plunger thereof secured to a linkage for preventing moveTriient of said stationary member, said linkage engaging the under side of said enlarged members to prevent downward movement of said third member, actuation of said solenoid being operative to move said linkage so that said linkage will be moved out of communication with said enlarged members to permit said second and third members to drop and wedge said second cable against said housing and said first member to prevent further movement of said second cable, support means and backstop.

4. Apparatus including a member to be raised and lowered between operative and inoperative positions, support means for supporting said member, said support means being movable with said member, fixed means for supporting both said support means and said member, a first cable having one end connected to said support means, means connected to the other end of said first cable for moving said member and support means between said inoperative and operative positions, slack sensing means supported by said fixed means, said first cable being interconnected to said slack sensing means while said member is in its inoperative position and while it is being moved between said operative and inoperative positions, a second cable having one end connected to said support means and means for preventing movement of said second cable, said movement preventing. means being mounted on said fixed means and comprising roller means and first and second spaced bearing surfaces which define a path'through which said second cable passes when said member is moved between operative and inoperative positions, said roller means being biased for movement between said bearing surfaces, restraining means responsive to a signal from said slack sensing means, said restraining means normally restraining said roller means against said movement, said bias causing said roller means to move between said first and second bearing surfaces when said restraining means releases said roller means to lock said second cable between said bearing surfaces and said roller means to prevent movement of said member.

5. Apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein said movement preventing means includesa solenoid operation of said solenoid causing said roller means to move against said second cable and wedge said second cable to lock it against further movement.

6. Apparatus as set forth in claim 4 including shut-off switch means supported by said fixed means and operatively associated with said support means, said shut-off switch means being operative to render ineffective said movement preventing means, said shut-off switch means being effective as said member reaches its operative position.

7. Apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein slack prevention means is connected to the other end of said second cable, both said first cable and said second cable being operatively connected to a slack take-up spring, said member being a basketball backboard, and said movement preventing means including a solenoid to actuate said roller means for locking said safety cable upon failure of said first cable or said support structure. 

1. Apparatus including a member to be raised and lowered between operative and inoperative positions, support means for supporting said member, said support means being movable with said member, fixed means for supporting both said support means and said member, a first cable having one end connected to said support means, means connected to the other end of said first cable for moving said member and support means between said inoperative and operative positions, slack sensing means supported by said fixed means, said main cable being interconnected to said slack sensing means while said member is in its inoperative position and while it is being moved between said operative and inoperative positions, a second cable having one end connected to said support means, means mounted on said fixed means for preventing movement of said second cable when said slack sensing means detects slack in said first cable so that said second cable prevents movement of said member, said movement preventing means comprising a housing, guide means for guiding said second cable into said housing, a first roller supported in said housing for contacting said second cable, a second roller around which said second cable is reeved, said second roller being concentric with and freely rotatable about a third roller having pins secured thereto, said pins extending through said housing and having washer members adjaceNt to the upper-most ends thereof, a solenoid mounted on said housing, said solenoid having the plunger thereof secured to a linkage for preventing movement of said stationary roller, said linkage engaging the under side of said washers to prevent downward movement of said pins, and said second and third rollers, actuation of said solenoid being operative to move said linkage so that said linkage will be out of contact with said washers to permit said pins and said second and third rollers to drop to thereby wedge said second cable between said first roller and said second roller to prevent further movement thereof.
 2. A safety device for a movable backstop including a backstop to be raised and lowered between operative and inoperative positions, support means for supporting said backstop, said support means being movable with said backstop, fixed means for supporting both said support means and said backstop, a first cable having one end connected to said support means, means connected to the other end of said first cable for moving said backstop and support means between said inoperative and operative positions, slack sensing means supported by said fixed means, said first cable being interconnected to said slack sensing means while said backstop is in its inoperative position and while it is being moved between said operative and inoperative positions, a second cable having one end connected to said support means, means mounted on said fixed means for preventing movement of said second cable when said slack sensing means detects slack in said cable so that said second cable prevents movement of said backstop, said movement preventing means comprising a housing, guide means for guiding said second cable into said housing, a first member supported by said housing for contacting said second cable, a second member supported by said housing spaced from said first member around which said second cable is reeved, said second member being concentric with and freely rotatable about a stationary third member, said third member having rods secured to the ends thereof, said rods extending through said housing and having enlarged members adjacent the upper-most ends thereof, a solenoid mounted on and supported by said housing, said solenoid having the plunger thereof secured to a linkage for preventing movement of said stationary member, said linkage engaging the under side of said enlarged members to prevent downward movement of said third member, actuation of said solenoid being operative to move said linkage so that said linkage will be moved out of communication with said enlarged members to permit said second and third members to drop and wedge said second cable against said housing and said first member to prevent further movement of said second cable, support means and backstop supported by said support means.
 3. A safety device for a movable backstop including a backstop to be raised and lowered between operative and inoperative positions, support means for supporting said backstop, said support means being movable with said backstop, fixed means for supporting both said support means and said backstop, a first cable having one end connected to said support means, means connected to the other end of said first cable for moving said backstop and support means between said inoperative and operative positions, slack sensing means supported by said fixed means, said first cable being interconnected to said slack sensing means while said backstop is in its inoperative position and while it is being moved between said operative and inoperative positions, a second cable having one end connected to said support means, said first and second cables being connected to a slack sensing takeup spring, means for preventing movement of said second cable when said slack sensing means detects slack in said first cable so that said second cable prevents movement of said member, shut-off means associated with said support means, said shut-off means being interconnected with and operative to render ineffective said movement preventing means, said shut-off means being effective as said backstop reaches its fully operative position, said movement preventing means comprising a housing, guide means for guiding said second cable into said housing, a first member supported by said housing for contacting said second cable, a second member supported by said housing spaced from said first member around which said second cable is reeved, said second member being concentric with and freely rotatable about a stationary third member, said third member having rods secured to the ends thereof, said rods extending through said housing and having enlarged members adjacent the upper-most ends thereof, a solenoid mounted on and supported by said housing, said solenoid having the plunger thereof secured to a linkage for preventing movement of said stationary member, said linkage engaging the under side of said enlarged members to prevent downward movement of said third member, actuation of said solenoid being operative to move said linkage so that said linkage will be moved out of communication with said enlarged members to permit said second and third members to drop and wedge said second cable against said housing and said first member to prevent further movement of said second cable, support means and backstop.
 4. Apparatus including a member to be raised and lowered between operative and inoperative positions, support means for supporting said member, said support means being movable with said member, fixed means for supporting both said support means and said member, a first cable having one end connected to said support means, means connected to the other end of said first cable for moving said member and support means between said inoperative and operative positions, slack sensing means supported by said fixed means, said first cable being interconnected to said slack sensing means while said member is in its inoperative position and while it is being moved between said operative and inoperative positions, a second cable having one end connected to said support means and means for preventing movement of said second cable, said movement preventing means being mounted on said fixed means and comprising roller means and first and second spaced bearing surfaces which define a path through which said second cable passes when said member is moved between operative and inoperative positions, said roller means being biased for movement between said bearing surfaces, restraining means responsive to a signal from said slack sensing means, said restraining means normally restraining said roller means against said movement, said bias causing said roller means to move between said first and second bearing surfaces when said restraining means releases said roller means to lock said second cable between said bearing surfaces and said roller means to prevent movement of said member.
 5. Apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein said movement preventing means includes a solenoid operation of said solenoid causing said roller means to move against said second cable and wedge said second cable to lock it against further movement.
 6. Apparatus as set forth in claim 4 including shut-off switch means supported by said fixed means and operatively associated with said support means, said shut-off switch means being operative to render ineffective said movement preventing means, said shut-off switch means being effective as said member reaches its operative position.
 7. Apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein slack prevention means is connected to the other end of said second cable, both said first cable and said second cable being operatively connected to a slack take-up spring, said member being a basketball backboard, and said movement preventing means including a solenoid to actuate said roller means for locking said safety cable upon failure of said first cable or said support structure. 